British researchers used real-world data to determine gas cars lasted on average about 18.7 years, versus 18.4 for EVs
- A new British study concludes the longevity gap between electric and gasoline vehicles is now almost closed
- Building an EV can have a 50% higher environmental impact, but that can be offset if it stays in service long enough
- Driving an EV an extra mile per day increases its failure-rate risk by 2.5%, but it’s an 8.4% increase for a gas vehicle
The study, published in Nature Energy, concluded EVs seem to have an average lifespan of 18.4 years, compared to 18.7 years for ICE — but during that time, the EVs cover an average of 199,588 km (124,000 miles) while the gasoline vehicles go about 186,668 km (116,000 miles). This being a British study, it also included diesel vehicles rarely found in Canada or the U.S.; their lifetime was shorter, at 16.3 years, but with mileage reaching 410,038 km (255,000 miles) during that span.
Of course, many drivers rack up far more than just 200,000 km on their vehicles, especially here in Canada, but these figures are averages; and they span information on those 30-million-plus vehicles, which will take in both the high-milers and those who only drive on Sundays to church. The researchers used data from almost 300 million MOT (Ministry of Transportation) tests, the annual inspection vehicles in the U.K. must undergo once they’re three years old or beyond, which they said gave a more accurate picture than predicting lifespans by looking at the number of vehicles that have been scrapped. The study included plug-in hybrids (PHEV) also.
Looking at each vehicle type’s life cycle, the researchers found that making a BEV is “relatively resource-intensive,” requiring six times the amount of critical mineral input of a conventional vehicle, and with an environmental impact 50% higher than an ICE vehicle. However, that is “more than offset” if its useful life is long enough.
Electricity generated using coal or gas will affect that offset as well, but “assuming that travel demand remains constant, the current energy mix in Europe means that the longer an EV stays on the road, the greater the environmental benefits,” the study found.
EVs have an average lifespan of 18.4 years, compared to 18.7 years for ICE — but EVs cover an average of 199,588 km while the gasoline vehicles go about 186,668 km
A BEV will typically cost more than an ICE vehicle to buy, but generally cost less to operate. In a U.S. study cited by the researchers, maintenance costs are an estimated US$0.06 per mile (1.6 km) for BEVs, versus US$0.10 per mile for ICE vehicles. Costs could be further reduced with financial incentives, such as “green” rebates.
Unsurprisingly, the researchers found the more a vehicle is used, the more its longevity is affected. That said, an increase of 1 mile (1.6 km) per day increased the hazard rate – the probability of component failure at a particular time – by 8.4% in gasoline vehicles; by 6.4% for diesel; but by just 2.5% for BEVs.
It also found that while all vehicles are benefiting from technological improvements, BEVs are getting better at a quicker rate than their gasoline or diesel counterparts. That’s likely because ICE powertrains “are established technologies that only experience marginal improvements year on year, while BEV manufacturers are still on a rapid learning curve.”
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